Great Notley Garden Village Residents Association
Newsletter Number 13
Date : October 2000.
This newsletter will contain more items than hitherto. The reason is that during the summer months there has not been much happening and now, suddenly, the dam has broken.
It will first be noted that on one of the sheets a new and revised constitution has been printed. To this end we would refer all readers to paragraphs 2 and 3. We stress that our aim is not to seek out controversy, but to champion the causes of residents. For the benefit of readers who were not living in Great Notley three years ago we did commence by canvassing residents for members from whom we collected a fee. It was quickly realised that the Garden Village was growing at a fast pace and very soon the time spent in collecting subscriptions would become an impossible burden.
In the early days the operation was funded by the Chairman and Secretary and no subscriptions were spent. A possible solution was to try to find a sponsor and after approaching a number of likely sources, Greene King plc. offered to help without any strings. As none of the collected money had been spent it was returned to the subscribers and we believe we identified them all. We would say now, that if anybody subscribed to the R.A. about 3 years ago who has not yet received a refund please contact the Secretary or the Chairman.
THE LARGE PUB/RESTAURANT.
You may be aware of a new planning application that has been submitted on behalf of the proprietors of the new pub and restaurant which included for permission to extend the main premises, move the restaurant up to the first floor and provide facilities on the ground floor for a function room..
Subsequently this application was withdrawn and we do not know the reason(s) why. The Residents Association will continue to monitor the situation and keep all residents fully informed.
If anybody wishes to inspect the full text of the letter it is publicly available in the Planning Department of Braintree District Council in Causeway House.
THE NOTLEY GREEN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.
At the meeting of the "Over 55 Club" of the Notley Green Community Association on Thursday, the 25th. October, an entertaining talk was enjoyed by a large audience on the subject of Jack the Ripper.
During the meeting leaflets were handed out highlighting the fact that the NGCA are in a serious spot of bother owing to the resignation of an unusually large number of committee members, whose positions must be filled by the time of the Annual General Meeting on the 18th. of January, 2001.
The new positions to be filled include the Chairman and vice-Chairman who are retiring at the end of their allotted span, but will not consider themselves for re-election. Other vacancies that need to be filled include Maintenance Manager, Administrator, Halls Manager and General Committee Minutes Secretary. As well as the above specific tasks a number of general committee members will be needed, some of whom will be trustees.
The NGCA is a charitable organisation and failure to fill all the vacancies could lead to loss of charitable status. This might lead to the need to employ an official to fill many of the posts and he would want a salary. The knock-on effect of this situation would lead to an "across the board" rise in membership fees and charges for hire of the hall.
Resulting from the distribution of the leaflets appealing for help to assist the NGCA a number of people in the hall asked for information concerning the disastrous state the NGCA finds itself in. Bowing to pressure a committee member made a statement detailing the full history of the problem leading to the resignation of Ray Kitchen and without naming names more or less pin-pointed the parties considered responsible for the current debacle.
Great Notlley Garden Village should consider itself very lucky that it has been able to enjoy the efforts of the passing committee members, but if it is to continue to enjoy the benefits of past individual efforts it must rally to the flag. It is appreciated that many people in GNGV go to work, but equally there must be people who are retired with the ability to fill the vacant posts.
For the greater good of the community we appeal to all who live in Great Notley who feel able to rally to the support of the NGCA to make themselves known. Your help is needed immediately and the need is urgent.
Please make your offers of assistance known to Ron Whitehouse, (Chairman of the NGCA - telephone 341426), and John Hainsworth, (Vice-Chairman of the NGCA - telephone 342604).
Obviously, all new members will need time to "learn the ropes" and settle in, but we, the Residents Association believe it will be well worth the effort. The R.A. are fully supportive of the efforts of the NGCA and feel it would be a great shame
if the Ray Kitchen affair was allowed to lead to the collapse of the Community Association.
GRAFFITI AND STREET LIGHTS.
In a letter to the Braintree & Witham Times dated the 19th. October, 2000 Richard Byham suggested that the Residents
Association devote some time to the twin problems of street lights not working and graffiti. In these matters we support his view whole-heartedly, but would point out that the R.A. have addressed the question of street lighting on several occasions but to no avail.
The matter of functioning street lights is raised in the newly distributed and excellent publication (issue No.1) of the Great Notley Times. Parish Councillors who have accepted responsibility for selected groups of roads are listed on the inside back page and their telephone numbers are on the back page. The R.A. applauds this initiative.
On the subject of graffiti in the underpass there have been a number of times when the "art" has been painted over and the only result has been a fresh surface to paint on. It is being said that a mural is planned for the walls of the underpass. Short of mounting a standing guard it is hard to see what can be done. All useful suggestions will be welcome and passed to the Parish Council..
THE ONE2ONE PHONE MAST AT THE TESCO ROUNDABOUT.
It will be recalled that when the new phone mast was projected for the Country Park, right by the TESCO roundabout the Residents Association alone sent out a newsletter (No.12) setting out the size of the potential problem. Following that newsletter we received a lot of letters from Great Notley Garden Village in support and also photocopies of letters sent to the Appeals Registry at Bristol.
The result of that deluge of protest inter alia was a withdrawal of the planning application. Well done GNGV!
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.
The Residents Association has been trying for most of the past year to obtain a date for a meeting to bring various matters before the public, but without success. The R.A. view is that the time for an Annual General Meeting is well overdue and we are hopeful of getting a suitable date in February next. W e hope to be able to give that date in our next newsletter.
NOTABLE DATES BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
24th. November, 2000, -- Christmas lights will be switched on in Braintree.
7th. December, 2000 -- Carol concert in Braintree in aid of Farleigh Hospice -- led by Jeremy Spake.
8th. December, 2000 -- Late night shopping in Braintree. Fireworks at 8pm.
ADVERTISING ON LOCAL LAMPPOSTS.
The Residents Association has received a number of telephone calls complaining about increased use of local lampposts for advertising goods as diverse as beds, car sales, boot sales etc.
In response to these complaints the R.A. has written to B.D.C. for clarification and note of possible by-laws.
VANDALISM.
Reports are circulating about a number of incidents in G.N.G.V. concerning damage to property and thefts from garden sheds. A few cars have had windows broken and tyres damaged.
Vigilance is needed apart from keeping garages and garden sheds securely locked and all suspicious incidents should be reported to Ken Game or Bert Rix.
All who read the local press will be aware of incidents similar to the above in Braintree district and we do not want such happenings in G.N.G.V.
CAROL SINGING IN AID OF THE ESSEX AIR AMBULANCE.
The Residents Association has formed a choir under the Chairmanship of Ken and June Game and will be meeting and singing at the following times, dates and venues:-
Thursday, 14th. December, at 7..30pm., meeting at the mini-roundabout, junction of Notley Green/Great Notley Ave.
Saturday, 16th. December, at 4. 00pm. until 6. 00pm. meeting outside TESCO.
Wednesday 20th. December at 7. 30pm, meeting at the large roundabout junction Cuckoo Way/Notley Green.
Everybody is welcome to help to swell the numbers and make the effort on behalf of the Essex Air Ambulance a success.
NEWSLETTERS.
Quite a number of people have telephoned the Chairman and Secretary to ask why there have not been any recent news- letters as well by casual contact. We are heartened at this continuing interest and hope to issue these newsletters on a fairly regular basis from now on.
GREAT NOTLEY GARDEN VILLAGE WEB SITE.
For the benefit of Great Notley Garden Village we are pleased to report that Richard Walkling of Manic Monday Limited has set up a web site for all residents on www.greatnotley.com. Details of this new project are appended and it is hoped that this initiative will contribute to a close community spirit for both existing residents and those who have yet to arrive in properties currently being built.
THE GREEN DRAGON PUBLIC HOUSE AND RESTAURANT AT YOUNGS END.
In appreciation of the sponsorship support freely given to the Residents Association during the past two years, with no strings attached we are including with this newsletter a notice outlining the facilities available at this excellent venue.
Those who have patronised the Green Dragon will appreciate it's excellence, and those who have yet to visit for a meal or a quiet evening will surely be pleasantly surprised.
